Trichy Police Officer Dies in Highway Crash, Sparking Safety Demands
A special sub-inspector of police lost his life in a tragic road accident in Trichy. The incident occurred at Sanjeevi Nagar junction, a known hotspot on the Trichy-Chennai national highway. This junction has claimed at least six lives over the past three years.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The victim was identified as K Adhiraj, a 50-year-old officer attached to the Trichy airport police station. He hailed from Thiruvanaikoil and had joined the police service back in 1997.
On Sunday afternoon, Adhiraj finished his duty and began his journey home on a two-wheeler. As he approached the Sanjeevi Nagar junction, a container truck traveling in the same direction towards Srirangam struck his vehicle from behind.
The impact threw Adhiraj off his bike. He suffered severe injuries to his hand, hip, and leg. Medical staff at a private hospital along the highway admitted him, but he could not survive his wounds.
Police Investigation and Community Response
Following a complaint from the officer's son, Monish Adithya, the Trichy traffic north investigation wing registered a case. Authorities seized the container truck involved in the crash. The investigation into the circumstances continues.
This latest fatality has reignited long-standing concerns among local residents. They point to frequent accidents at this junction, often involving two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
The community is now urging the National Highways Authority of India's Trichy division to expedite plans for a vehicular underpass at the location.
The Push for a Vehicular Underpass
Residents argue that a vehicular underpass is essential for improving safety. Such an infrastructure project would allow highway traffic moving between Chennai and Madurai to bypass the congested junction entirely.
Local traffic could then use service roads to access the densely populated residential areas on either side of the national highway. This separation of through-traffic and local traffic is seen as a key solution.
"Even after the installation of a traffic signal, Sanjeevi Nagar junction remains unsafe," stated G S Nathan, a resident of Devathanam. His comment underscores the perceived inadequacy of current safety measures.
The demand for the underpass is not new, but this tragic incident has brought it back into sharp focus. The community hopes that decisive action will now be taken to prevent further loss of life on this dangerous stretch of road.
